The Vernon Parish Basketball Tournament was held December 21-22 at both elementary and high school gyms in Rosepine. The Rosepine Lady Eagles took out Anacoco Lady Indians in the tournament finals 64-53, winning the event for the third straight year. Neveah Rivera led the Lady Eagles with 22 points. Addison Fruge netted 17 points while tournament MVP Kelly Norris nearly had a triple-triple with 10 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. This is the third year in a row Norris has been the tournament MVP. Bella Henry had 17 points and Bailey Davis 10 points to lead Anacoco.
Ladies’ All-Tournament selections included Kelly Norris (MVP) and Addison Fruge of Rosepine; Hallie Rollins of Simpson; Reese Stephens of Hicks; and Bella Henry of Anacoco.
In the men’s bracket, Anacoco topped Pitkin 57-34 as tournament MVP Dustin Welch poured in 36 points and snared 17 boards. Cullen Martin of Pitkin rang up 22 points in the finals.
The Men’s All-Tournament team included Dustin Welch (MVP) and Landin Draughn of Anacoco; Cullen Martin of Pitkin; Jeremiah Lee of Leesville; and Hayden Brister of Rosepine.
Mid-Season Report
Anacoco is 18-3 and had won 16 in a row before the loss to Rosepine in the Vernon tournament finals. The Lady Indians tune up for district play with games against Many and Leesville before the district opener January 9 versus Elizabeth. Hicks lost in the Vernon tournament semi-finals, their first of the year. The Lady Pirates are 21-1 with a district opener January 9 versus Oak Hill. Simpson’s ladies had won 10 in a row before falling to Rosepine in the Vernon tournament. They are now 17-4 heading into district play January 9 versus Pleasant Hill. Hornbeck sits at 12-6 with games to play versus St. Mary’s and Westlake before opening district play January 12 versus Pleasant Hill. Rosepine is 12-5 after their Vernon tournament title. They open district play January 9 versus Glenmora. In Evans the Lady Eagles are 7-13 with a January 9 district opener set versus Ebarb. Pickering is 8-9 with a district home opener January 9 versus Menard. Leesville sits at 9-6 with seven more games to play before their district opener January 23 versus DeRidder. Pitkin skipped the Vernon tournament to visit and play in Orlando, Florida. The Lady Tigers won all three games they played against teams from New York and Georgia and won the tournament. They are now 14-7 on the season. Faith Training Christian Academy’s Lady Patriots are currently 4-3. They play another game January 2 in the ACEL.
Men’s play locally is led by Anacoco’s 20-5 record. They were crowned champs of the Vernon tournament with wins over Simpson, Pitkin and Leesville. They tune up for district play with games against Many and Leesville and open the district 4-B season January 9 versus Elizabeth. Rosepine checks in at 6-7 on the season with district play opening January 12 with Pickering. The Red Devils were flying high before the Vernon tournament loss. They are now 14-5. Pitkin went 2-2 in the Vernon tournament to go to 15-9 with a January 12 district opener coming up with Anacoco. Evans has lost 5 in a row to fall to 8-11 on the season. Their district opener is January 9 with Ebarb. Simpson stands at 7-12 on the season with a district opener January 9 versus Pleasant Hill. The Leesville Wampus Cats are 9-5 after losing to Pitkin in the Vernon tournament. They meet again at Leesville January 2. The Cats’ home opener is January 23 versus Eunice. Faith Training Christian Academy is 7-1 in the ACEL’s southwest district. Their next game is January 5 against Acadiana Christian School.